connectionnewspapers.com stories: Politicshttp://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/Connection/Politics/connectionnewspapers.com stories: Politicsen-usTue, 31 Mar 2015 16:21:40 -0400Arlington Courtroom Drama
http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2015/mar/31/arlington-courtroom-drama/“You have a right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you.”Vernon MilesTue, 31 Mar 2015 16:21:40 -0400http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2015/mar/31/arlington-courtroom-drama/Springfield Holds Budget Meeting
http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2015/mar/27/springfield-holds-budget-meeting/Fairfax County Executive Ed Long and Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield) met with Springfield residents at the lobby of the West Springfield District Police Station on Wednesday, March 18 to discuss the county’s proposed budget. About 25 people gathered at the impromptu meeting place due to a scheduling conflict with another group for the meeting room.
Abigail Constantino/The ConnectionFri, 27 Mar 2015 12:25:18 -0400http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2015/mar/27/springfield-holds-budget-meeting/News Briefs for the Week of March 25
http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2015/mar/26/news-briefs-week-march-25/News BriefsTim PetersonThu, 26 Mar 2015 10:21:48 -0400http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2015/mar/26/news-briefs-week-march-25/Brief: Quintanilla Sentenced To Serve 21 Years
http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2015/mar/26/brief-quintanilla-sentenced-serve-21-years/On March 19, in the Alexandria Circuit Court, Jose M. Quintanilla, 44, was sentenced on one count of forcible sodomy, two counts of aggravated sexual battery, three counts of production of child pornography, two counts of possession of child pornography and two counts of indecent liberties with a minor. Thu, 26 Mar 2015 09:04:56 -0400http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2015/mar/26/brief-quintanilla-sentenced-serve-21-years/Alexandria: Negotiation for Budget Funds
http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2015/mar/26/alexandria-negotiation-budget-funds/The deadline for proposing a tax rate increase for fiscal year 2016 passed on March 17 without any update from the city, meaning the funding in the current budget is all of the funding that will be available. For Alexandria police officers and city employees, that means a pay increase and additional career opportunities inside their departments. For Alexandria public schools, who were hoping a last minute decision to raise the tax rate might be enough to cover the $3 million gap between the school’s budget and the city manager’s proposed budget, the news means budget discussions between now and May are going to be tense.Vernon MilesThu, 26 Mar 2015 09:02:19 -0400http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2015/mar/26/alexandria-negotiation-budget-funds/Alexandria: Fighting Fires Without Firefighters
http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2015/mar/25/alexandria-fighting-fires-without-firefighters/Fire Station 210 is one of the newest and nicest buildings around the Van Dorn Metro area. It is full three-story building with four operation bays and a training tower.
Except it doesn’t have any firefighters.
Currently the facility is staffed by emergency medical technicians. Acting City Manager Mark Jinks said that, while the original plan was to have the facility be fully staffed by the end of 2015, “that process could be pushed back to the end of 2016.”Vernon MilesWed, 25 Mar 2015 17:59:41 -0400http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2015/mar/25/alexandria-fighting-fires-without-firefighters/Centreville: ‘A Way for Something Good'
http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2015/mar/25/centreville-way-something-good/While several other members of the recently created Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission stated their general intent to listen and learn and help, Salvatore Culosi had a more specific request.
“My son would still be alive today,” Culosi said, “but for 2006 Fairfax County policies to routinely use SWAT and aggressive procedures against citizens certified to be low risk.”Wed, 25 Mar 2015 16:06:05 -0400http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2015/mar/25/centreville-way-something-good/Arlington’s Uninsured
http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2015/mar/24/arlingtons-uninsured/National and Virginia leadership’s planned celebration of the five-year anniversary of the passage of the Affordable Care Act quickly became a discussion of the program’s outreach failings and concerns following Virginia legislature’s decisions not to expand the program.
Federal and state officials met at the Arlington Mills Community Center on Monday, March 23, for for a round table discussion led by Sylvia Burwell, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Gov. Terry McAuliffe, and U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-8).
Much of the panel’s conversation centered around Vernon MilesTue, 24 Mar 2015 17:51:18 -0400http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2015/mar/24/arlingtons-uninsured/Herrity To Run Again for Springfield Supervisor
http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2015/mar/20/herrity-run-again-springfield-supervisor/Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield) chose to align himself with the luck of the Irish, using his annual St. Patrick’s Day get together at the Springfield Golf and Country Club to announce his bid to seek re-election to represent the Springfield District.
Fri, 20 Mar 2015 16:47:16 -0400http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2015/mar/20/herrity-run-again-springfield-supervisor/First Meeting Scheduled for Ad Hoc Police Commission
http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2015/mar/20/first-meeting-scheduled-ad-hoc-police-commission/With endorsement, albeit non-unanimous, from the Board of Supervisors, the ad hoc commission organized by Board Chairman Sharon Bulova to review Fairfax County Police Department practices will hold its first meeting March 23.
Fri, 20 Mar 2015 16:35:16 -0400http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2015/mar/20/first-meeting-scheduled-ad-hoc-police-commission/Connolly's ‘Holiest Day of the Year’
http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2015/mar/19/connollys-holiest-day-year/For 20 years Gerry Connolly has hosted an annual St. Patrick’s Day event. What started in his home has now become one of the biggest fundraising events in Northern Virginia.
As John Wittman from Fairfax Station said, “Throw in some great Irish fare and I’m there!”
Terrance Moran/The ConnectionThu, 19 Mar 2015 11:32:33 -0400http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2015/mar/19/connollys-holiest-day-year/Alexandria: Developing in the City
http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2015/mar/19/alexandria-developing-city/While developments at one Carr hotel property in Alexandria remains stalled due to an impending decision by Virginia’s Supreme Court, another Carr property opened across town.Vernon MilesThu, 19 Mar 2015 11:25:15 -0400http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2015/mar/19/alexandria-developing-city/Hawkins Steps Down From Alexandria EDP
http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2015/mar/19/hawkins-steps-down-alexandria-edp/Val Hawkins, credited with luring the National Science Foundation Headquarters away from its longtime home in Ballston, stepped down effective March 15 as president and CEO of the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership.Jeanne TheismannThu, 19 Mar 2015 11:11:20 -0400http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2015/mar/19/hawkins-steps-down-alexandria-edp/Column: The Top 20: A 2015 Legislative Summary – Part II
http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2015/mar/19/column-top-20-2015-legislative-summary-part-ii/This is Part II of my column regarding the Top 20 legislative highlights from the 2015 General Assembly session. Last week, I discussed the top 7. Here are the rest.
Scott A. Surovell, State Delegate (D-44)Thu, 19 Mar 2015 09:51:49 -0400http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2015/mar/19/column-top-20-2015-legislative-summary-part-ii/Surovell Kicks Off Senate Campaign
http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2015/mar/18/surovell-kicks-senate-campaign/Mount Vernon residents Lyn Snodgrass, Alan Edelstein and Jim Seeley engaged Del. Scott Surovell (D-44) in a banquet room of The Landing restaurant in Woodbridge.Tim PetersonWed, 18 Mar 2015 16:56:30 -0400http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2015/mar/18/surovell-kicks-senate-campaign/Mount Vernon: Residents Help Shape County Budget
http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2015/mar/18/mount-vernon-residents-help-shape-county-budget/Despite a damp dreary Saturday morning, several dozen people turned out at the South County Government Center for the first of two community dialogues on the proposed budgets for Fairfax County government and schools. The meeting along Route 1 began in the morning, followed by a similar event at the Fairfax County Government Center in the afternoon. Both were hosted by Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova.Tim PetersonWed, 18 Mar 2015 16:46:47 -0400http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2015/mar/18/mount-vernon-residents-help-shape-county-budget/Herndon Election Changed for Good
http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2015/mar/18/herndon-election-changed-good/Arthur Nachman told Herndon's Town Council that their actions after Tuesday's council hearing would be just as important to the Town's future as their vote Tuesday night, March 10.
Ken MooreWed, 18 Mar 2015 16:03:57 -0400http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2015/mar/18/herndon-election-changed-good/Chantilly: ‘I’m Just Thrilled To Be Here’
http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2015/mar/18/chantilly-im-just-thrilled-be-here/Right from the start, Bob Blakley planned to become a police officer. Born in Clearwater, Fla., he joined the Police Explorers in 10th grade. And when his family moved to Georgia the next year, he started an Explorer post there.
“People say it’s a calling,” said Blakley. “I just knew that’s what I wanted to do.”Bonnie HobbsWed, 18 Mar 2015 15:53:30 -0400http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2015/mar/18/chantilly-im-just-thrilled-be-here/New Commander Stresses Community Relations
http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2015/mar/18/new-commander-stresses-community-relations/As the new commander of the Sully District Police Station, Capt. Bob Blakley has big plans.Bonnie HobbsWed, 18 Mar 2015 15:48:34 -0400http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2015/mar/18/new-commander-stresses-community-relations/Politics: Litzenberger Launches Bid for Supervisor
http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2015/mar/18/politics-litzenberger-launches-bid-supervisor/Sully Planning Commissioner John Litzenberger has announced his candidacy for the Sully District Supervisor position on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. The position is being vacated by Sully Supervisor Michael Frey, who is retiring after 24 years of service. Wed, 18 Mar 2015 15:09:06 -0400http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2015/mar/18/politics-litzenberger-launches-bid-supervisor/